Sell uncommon collectibles at auction
All Kinds of One Of a Kind®
Coin-op machines, advertising, toys, natural history, and the things that do not fit a category, offered to the collectors who have been looking for them.
- Complimentary consultations, no obligation
- Payment typically within 30 days
- Virginia firm license #1086
All Kinds of One Of a Kind®
Unusual things find their buyers at auction. The most unexpected object in an estate can draw the most bidders. Online auctions reach collectors of almost anything, and competition sets the price.
Our Nostalgic Coin-Op Classics auction drew 148,284 views and 945 registered bidders for a century of coin-operated machines and game-room treasures.
What we sell
- Coin-op, arcade, and slot machines
- Advertising signs and store displays
- Vintage toys, trains, and die-cast
- Minerals, fossils, and natural history
- Nautical and maritime pieces
- Sports memorabilia and oddities
Recent results in uncommon collectibles
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Lot 129 Vol. IV No. 4 – March 1892 National Geographic (Rare) Realized$6,015
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Lot 128 Vol. II No. 3 – July 1890 National Geographic (Rare) Realized$4,505
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Lot 127 Vol. II No. 1 – April 1890 National Geographic Realized$4,255
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Lot 244 Vol. 7 National Geographic 1896 Brown Leather Bound Realized$1,035
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Lot 1315 Vol. XIII No.1 – January 1902 National Geographic (Rare) Realized$850
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Lot 246 Vol. 9 National Geographic 1898 Brown Leather Bound Realized$670
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Lot 360 Vol. X No. 6 – June 1899 National Geographic w/ Map (Rare) Realized$515
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Lot 131 Vol. VII-XII 1896-1901 National Geographic Reprints Realized$500
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Lot 518 Elvis Presley 1954 Sun Records 209 45 Realized$375
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Lot 130 January 1902 – December 1907 National Geographic Reprints Realized$310
A century of coin-op history in one auction
In November 2023, our Nostalgic Coin-Op Classics & Game Room Accessories auction brought together vintage coin-operated machines, maritime memorabilia, and game-room treasures spanning more than a hundred years.
- 148,284 auction views
- 945 registered bidders
Talk to Jim Weigl
Jim founded Blue Box Auction Gallery in 2020, after more than a decade in the auction industry. As auctioneer and appraiser, he and the team work closely with consignors, from the first photos to the final bid.
How selling collectibles works
Send photos
Photograph each item from a few angles, with any maker’s marks, labels, or damage. For large pieces, one photo showing the whole thing and its size helps.
Hear from a specialist
A specialist looks at your photos, tells you whether auction is the right route for your collectibles and which sale they belong in, and recommends the next step. Any auction estimate a specialist shares is preliminary until we see the items in person.
We research and catalog
Once you consign, we inspect, photograph, and describe each lot, then market the sale to collectors and buyers.
Auction and payment
Bidders compete in the auction. Afterward you receive a settlement statement, and payment is typically issued within 30 days, once the buyer has paid.
Questions about selling collectibles
My item is large. Can you still sell it?
Yes. Large pieces such as coin-op machines and signs sell at auction too. Tell us where the item is and we will talk through how to get it to the gallery.
Does it need to work?
Not always. Condition matters, but non-working machines, parts, and restoration projects have buyers too. Describe the condition honestly and we will advise you.
What does it cost to sell at auction?
Our commission is deducted from the hammer price after the sale, and terms depend on the type and value of what you are selling. We explain the commission and any other charges in writing before you consign.
How and when do I get paid?
After the auction you receive a settlement statement showing what each lot sold for and any agreed fees. Payment is typically issued within 30 days of the auction closing, once the buyer’s payment has cleared.
Can I set a minimum price?
Yes, on certain items. A reserve is the lowest price you will accept, agreed with us before the auction. If bidding does not reach it, the item does not sell.
Request a complimentary consultation about your collectibles
Tell us about your collectibles and add a few photos. A specialist will look at what you have, tell you whether auction is the right route and which sale it belongs in, and recommend the next step.
- Complimentary consultation, no obligation
- Consignments accepted nationwide; we travel for significant collections
Prefer to talk? Call (757) 550-0285, Monday to Friday.
Not ready to send photos yet?
Start with a complimentary guide or a short quiz.
How to Photograph Items for a Consultation
Simple phone-camera tips that help our specialists see what you have and advise you well: light, angles, marks, condition, and what to send.
Consignment Guidelines: What We Accept
What Blue Box Auction Gallery accepts for auction, what we cannot, the minimum value per lot, and how consigning works from the first photos to payment.
Is Auction Right for Me?
A five-question quiz that suggests the best way to sell what you have: auction, an estate sale, an appraisal first, or a conversation.